KDF Announces October 2025 National Recruitment Drive
Candidates will also be subjected to a competitive selection process, after which they will be trained intensively to attain discipline,
Applicants to the category of GSO Regular Cadets also need to have a KCSE mean grade of B (Plain) with C+ (Plus) in Mathematics, English, and a science subject. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has officially publicized plans for its national recruitment exercise in 2025 and is calling on qualified professionals and individuals eager to serve in uniform to apply. The recruitment, due in October 2025, will accommodate several categories including General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets, Specialist Officers, Tradesmen/women, and other technical and professional careers.
From the perspective of the Defence Forces, this exercise provides an avenue whereby patriotic Kenyans can contribute to national service in a meaningful manner. “This recruitment window is an opportunity to serve your country in important roles contributing to national security,” KDF said.
Candidates will also be subjected to a competitive selection process, after which they will be trained intensively to attain discipline, professionalism, patriotism, and technical skills. KDF has urged prospective candidates to carefully read through the requirements to determine whether they qualify in terms of academic, physical, and professional demands before making an application.
For the General Service Officer (GSO) Graduate Cadets, candidates must have attained a minimum mean grade of B (Plain) in KCSE, with a C+ (Plus) in Mathematics, English, and a science subject. Additionally, candidates must be Bachelor’s degree holders from a respectable university. The new recruits will undergo fifteen months of rigorous military training.
Applicants to the category of GSO Regular Cadets also need to have a KCSE mean grade of B (Plain) with C+ (Plus) in Mathematics, English, and a science subject. Cadets in this category will undergo three years of training before they graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Defence and Security Studies.
For Specialist Officers, applicants are required to have at least a B (Plain) in KCSE but with C+ (Plus) in Mathematics, English, and one science subject. Chaplains and Imams are exempted from the science subject but should have only a C+ (Plus) aggregate in KCSE. Apart from academic qualifications, applicants must have a degree from a recognized institution and be registered with the relevant professional or statutory body where required. Training as Specialist Officers will be for six months.
The Defence Forces are also looking for Tradesmen and women in two categories. Applicants who submit with Craft Certificates must have a D+ (Plus) grade minimum in KCSE and a related certificate, in addition to a Government Trade Test Grade II or Craft II from a recognized institution. Alternatively, applicants submitting with Diplomas must have at least a C (Plain) mean grade in KCSE, hold a diploma or higher qualification in the field, and be registered with statutorily mandated bodies.
KDF demanded that the process shall be conducted openly across the nation and requested all individuals who had applied to submit genuine documents and follow the stipulated criteria.
About Author
